Ryan Rules Against Levin Fast-Track Bill; Ways & Means Approves TPA

摘要

House Ways & Means Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) yesterday (April 23) ruled out of order a bill that Ranking Member Sander Levin (D-MI) wanted to offer as an amendment in the nature of a substitute to the pending fast-track bill the committee was in the process of marking up. Ryan's ruling prevented a vote on the Levin bill, entitled the "Right Track for TPP," which Levin sought to offer with the backing of House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). According to aides, Ryan's decision had the effect of making it impossible for any Democrats to offer amendments changing the fast-track process as laid out in the Ryan-backed bill already approved by the Finance Committee on April 22.